Lipkin H.J. Quantum Mechanics - New Approaches to Selected Topics

Amsterdam, London: North Holland Publishing Company, 1973. — XVI, 465 p.Acclaimed as "excellent" (Nature) and "very original and refreshing" (Physics Today), this collection of self-contained studies is geared toward advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Its broad selection of topics includes the Mössbauer effect, many-body quantum mechanics, scattering theory, Feynman diagrams, and relativistic quantum mechanics. Author Harry J. Lipkin, a well-known teacher at Israel's Weizmann Institute, takes an unusual approach by introducing many interesting physical problems and mathematical techniques at a much earlier point than in conventional texts. This method enables students to observe the physical implications and useful applications of quantum theory before mastering the formalism in detail, and it provides them with new mathematical tools at an earlier stage for use in subsequent problems.Intended for a first year graduate course in quantum mechanics, this collection of topics can also be considered as a set of self-contained "monographs for pedestrians'' on the Mössbauer effect, many-body quantum mechanics, kaon physics, scattering theory, Feynman diagrams, symmetries and relativistic quantum mechanics.An unusual feature of the book is the introduction of many interesting physical problems and mathematical techniques at a much earlier level than in conventional texts. This approach enables the student to see the physical implications and useful applications of quantum theory before he has mastered the formalism in detail. It provides him with new mathematical tools at an earlier stage for use in subsequent problems. It also presents the active research physicist with a ``pedestrian'' treatment of many topics without the necessity of learning the formalism.This wonderful book introduces some additional topics that are seldom discussed in many QM books (or at least not discussed in the way the author does). The book presents rather difficult and advanced problems in Quantum and Relativistic Physics with a superb, disconcerting easiness. It is a real pleasure to follow Lipkin's "elementary" approaches through the pages of this book. Clarity in deep, complex questions, a sure hand in conducting the presentation, this is really enchanting. Old fashioned physics, well written, a must for your reference library.